Will I be disappointed with an X?

jlmotox

For you guys that have a CRF450X my question is will it be enough for me? will I be disappointed?

Here is why I am asking....I have been riding for almost 30 years (i'm 34 now) been on 2 strokes all of my life, currently I am riding a 1997 CR250R and I have had it since 2000 and it has never broken down on me, it's always kept me happy with the power, weight, and handling. I love my bike but I REALLY want a new bike...I probably will keep my old CR even if I never ride it again just because its a great bike and I can....
I was just at the local dealership and a 2012 CRF450X caught my eye, but I have never rode one and I am worried that it will be too tame and heavy for me....I was there to look at a 450R and the X caught my attention...I mostly ride desert and mountain trails and maybe once a year I will go to the track...

do I get the X or R???? really wish it was like a car dealer and I could test ride both, that would make my choice easy!

I would really like to hear from anyone that has bought an X after riding 2 strokes forever and what you think...

baja184

It all depends on what you are looking for. I agree with Krannie, if you want something similiar to your cr250 you wont like it.

In my experience I used to ride 2 strokes back in the day (98 cr250 and 00 cr250) and swore i would never get a four stroke. Then i think in 03 all of my buddies got crf 450r's and when we went out to the dunes they would smoke me. So i bought a 03 crf 450r. I loved that bike and thought it was the best thing ever. After years went by and i wasnt riding track, dunes, and just jumping, one of my buddies convinced me to get a x. I bought a 08 450x. Now I ride open desert, trails, and baja. The x is by far the best bike for that. I couldnt believe the difference between my r and x. The first time i rode one and then switched to the other it was incredible, the difference was huge. I dont know how i rode my r at all in open desert. So i sold it.

The one thing i can definately ding the x on is its a heavy, slow, dog bone stock. I did alot of the mods that everyone talks about on here before i even rode my x. (r cam, pink wire, smog block off, full exhaust, stabilizer, etc) That definately put some power back in the bike. Now i have a ported r head, an r carb, along with tons more stuff, and the bike is a fire breather. Its still heavy but that makes it better in open desert and trails in my opinion. I wouldnt take it too the track, or the dunes, or do any big jumps on it, but im old and not into that anymore.

papawhiskey1

If you only go to the track once or twice a year you will love the 450x. If you have doubts , try a riding buddies 450x for a week or two. Weight and turn in on the track will take some getting used to, but the tight trail payoff is worth it(IMHO).

Jim Dettman

Not trying to be critical here, but it always amazes me how many people buy a bike, then make a change to virtually every aspect of it (motor, brakes, suspension, etc) outside of the frame to try and make it into something else.

baja184

Specifically for the tranny, the frame, the e start, 18" rear, and electrical for a light.

With your reasoning and thinking, i guess, you didnt change the jetting, open up the airbox, take off the smog block off, change out the pipe, or put on a stabilizer.I guess all bikes are perfect when they come off the showroom floor from the dealership.

Jim Dettman

Specifically for the tranny, the frame, the e start, 18" rear, and electrical for a light.

With your reasoning and thinking, i guess, you didnt change the jetting, open up the airbox, take off the smog block off, change out the pipe, or put on a stabilizer.I guess all bikes are perfect when they come off the showroom floor from the dealership.

No, jetting has been changed, airbox opened, and smog pump blocked off. I would consider that very normal stuff and something you would do with any bike. But that's as far as I've gone. I have not changed out the pipe or removed the baffle and I haven't bothered with a stabilizer.

Obviosuly no bike is perfect off the show room floor as we all ride differently, in different conditions, and are different sizes. But as I said, it amazes me how many people take an X and try to change it into an R.

There was one post not too long ago asking for people to buy in to a production run of having special gears made for 4th and 5th because the poster wanted a closer gear ratio and was looking to replace them.

To me, when you get to the point of mkaing fundamental modifications, you have to wonder if you would not be a head of the game by buying something else.

jlmotox

Well being in California the green sticker is kinda of a concern for me...which the X has and the R dose not...stupid EPA! still have never heard of anyone getting busted for riding a red sticker in green season but that is a whole other topic...

For me...I like the X for:

Green sticker
electric start
more trail friendly
head light for night runs...never have done one but sounds like fun...

I don't like (I think)

weight...269lbs claimed...
power compared to a "R" less???

I was at the dealer and sat on both the X and the R bikes and they both feel sweet compared to my 97' CR...I couldn't really feel the weight difference, maybe a little but it's too hard to tell on the showroom floor...

As far a power...I don't mind jetting, pipe, smog block, if that is what it takes to bring it close to the R but if I have to change the motor internals (head,piston, ect...) to get it there that is something I won't do...I'll just get a R.
With that said... how close power wise is a 450x with jetting,pipe, and smog to a 450r?

Really wish I could ride one so I know what I am getting...no one I know has one...I have rode a few "R" bikes and I know what to expect with one of them...

baja184

As far a power...I don't mind jetting, pipe, smog block, if that is what it takes to bring it close to the R but if I have to change the motor internals (head,piston, ect...) to get it there that is something I won't do...I'll just get a R.With that said... how close power wise is a 450x with jetting,pipe, and smog to a 450r?

Sheldon747

It all depends on what you are looking for. I agree with Krannie, if you want something similiar to your cr250 you wont like it.

In my experience I used to ride 2 strokes back in the day (98 cr250 and 00 cr250) and swore i would never get a four stroke. Then i think in 03 all of my buddies got crf 450r's and when we went out to the dunes they would smoke me. So i bought a 03 crf 450r. I loved that bike and thought it was the best thing ever. After years went by and i wasnt riding track, dunes, and just jumping, one of my buddies convinced me to get a x. I bought a 08 450x. Now I ride open desert, trails, and baja. The x is by far the best bike for that. I couldnt believe the difference between my r and x. The first time i rode one and then switched to the other it was incredible, the difference was huge. I dont know how i rode my r at all in open desert. So i sold it.

The one thing i can definately ding the x on is its a heavy, slow, dog bone stock. I did alot of the mods that everyone talks about on here before i even rode my x. (r cam, pink wire, smog block off, full exhaust, stabilizer, etc) That definately put some power back in the bike. Now i have a ported r head, an r carb, along with tons more stuff, and the bike is a fire breather. Its still heavy but that makes it better in open desert and trails in my opinion. I wouldnt take it too the track, or the dunes, or do any big jumps on it, but im old and not into that anymore.

Just my opinion.

Ha Ha! If you found a good hit you would still launch that bike, You're not that old

thecirque

Not trying to be critical here, but it always amazes me how many people buy a bike, then make a change to virtually every aspect of it (motor, brakes, suspension, etc) outside of the frame to try and make it into something else.

Why not just buy an r?

Jim.

PERSPECTIVE!! I've said it before... Go find an XR650R and take it down any whoop trail or dune run, then climb back on the X. Youll love it

Kah Ran Nee

Well being in California the green sticker is kinda of a concern for me...which the X has and the R dose not...stupid EPA! still have never heard of anyone getting busted for riding a red sticker in green season but that is a whole other topic...

For me...I like the X for:

Green stickerelectric startmore trail friendlyhead light for night runs...never have done one but sounds like fun...

I don't like (I think)

weight...269lbs claimed... power compared to a "R" less???

I was at the dealer and sat on both the X and the R bikes and they both feel sweet compared to my 97' CR...I couldn't really feel the weight difference, maybe a little but it's too hard to tell on the showroom floor...

As far a power...I don't mind jetting, pipe, smog block, if that is what it takes to bring it close to the R but if I have to change the motor internals (head,piston, ect...) to get it there that is something I won't do...I'll just get a R.

With that said... how close power wise is a 450x with jetting,pipe, and smog to a 450r?THE R IS MUCH QUICKER REVING, MORE HP (54 VS 45 STOCK) AND 35 LBS LIGHTER. BUT THE X CAN BE MADE MUCH MORE POWERFUL WITH A SIMPLE UN-CORKING, SLIP ON PIPE, JETTING, AND AN R CAM (WHICH IS A ONE HOUR JOB). NOW YOU GET UP TO ABOUT 51 HP.

BUT THE POWER ON THE X, ONCE SET UP IS "BETTER" THAN THE R, CAUSE OF HOW IT IS DELIVERED: SMOOTH, STABLE, MASSIVE BOTTOM END WITH A SECONDARY POWERBAND THAT REALLY PULLS. PLUS, IT IS WIDE RATIO, SO YOU CAN FAN THE CLUTCH WAY LESS, AND GO OVER 55MPH. THE R SUSPENSION WILL HAVE TO BE RE-VALVED FOR TRAIL RIDING UNLESS YOU ARE AN A-CLASS DESERT RACER.

Really wish I could ride one so I know what I am getting...no one I know has one...I have rode a few "R" bikes and I know what to expect with one of them...

If you are a 'cut and thrust' rider that loves to smash anything that even looks like a berm, fan the clutch, and constantly be in the peak of the power band, the X will wear you out. It will do it, cause it handles amazing, but you will be doing it with a bag of cement straped to your chest.....

If you are now in CA, and like to ride where you want during the summer months (green sticker only), the X answers all the questions: no choice but to go X.

I don't know where you live, but if you would like to try out an X that has gone though a long succession of mods (many reversed or removed over time) including an '02 R cam and stage three porting, give me a PM.

slothinker

I came over to the 450X side straight off a 2000 CR250 and I'll never regret it. You'll have to adapt your riding style but after a few rides you should feel right at home on the X. I also don't think you'll be disappointed in the power considering you're used to a 15 year old CR250. I've done all the popular mods so far except cam and head - the power is great and very usable. Also you said you do most of your riding in the desert and mountain trails - perfect for the X. Green sticker, headlight, e-start....X,X,X.